Cleanout gate valve



Sept 22, 1953 G. M. BEATTY 2,652,946

CLEANOUT GATE VALVE Filed March 2o, 195o INVENTOR.

Patented Sept. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE Claims. 1

This invention relates to valves of the cleanout type to be installed in tanks, vats, troughs and the like to permit the same to be readily cleaned of solid accumulations, sediment, settlings, foreign matter and deposits of all kinds.

In the use of tanks, vats, troughs and the like, it is usually necessary at stated times or from time to time, to free them of solid and semisolid accumulations which develop in the stored liquids and are deposited in the bottom and walls or represent foreign matter suspended in or entrained with liquids admitted to the tanks, etc. In oil well drilling settling tanks and troughs are used to separate from the drilling mud accumulations of sand, rock cuttings, etc. before the drilling mud is pumped back into the well. Many industrial processes such as those used in breweries, paper pulp mills, textile plants, etc. utilize tanks, vats and large as well as small receptacles which must be cleaned periodically by scraping the sides and bottoms of accumulated and adhering deposits. Such deposits and any additional solid or semi-solid foreign matter must be removed prior to steam cleaning, purging and like operations necessary to restore the receptacle to clean condition.

It is a principal object of the present invention to facilitate the cleaning of large tanks and other receptacles and especially the removal of solid and semi-solid foreign matter and deposits from such receptacles.

Another object is to devise simple and rugged apparatus for effecting the above purpose, which apparatus can be readily and quickly installed in both old and new equipment.

Another object is to provide gate valves for cleanout purposes which will make a tight seal over the cleanout opening.

Another object is to make the gate valves easy to operate and not subject to fouling by debris, settlings, deposits, and the like.

Another object is to provide for quick freeing of any valve which becomes stuck due to settlings and deposits which have built up during a long closure period.

Still another object is the provision of means for manually controlling the valve so that it can be locked in open as well as in closed position, and when in the latter position, it will make a tight seal over the cleanout opening in the wall of the tank or other receptacles.

Still other objects will be apparent from the detailed description which follows.

The invention comprises a gate valve assembly consisting essentially of a guide frame to be attached in a fluid tight manner around a cleanout 2 opening in the Wall of a tank or the like and a gate valve loosely mounted thereon for sliding movement, the valve being movable laterally against the frame when in closed position to make a tight seal over the opening. The operating means for the valve by which it is raised or lowered also effects the lateral sealing movement to lock the valve in closed position. It also includes provision for locking the valve in open position. The operating means preferably takes the form of a rod provided with a cam to force the valve laterally into sealing position. The rod is divided into two parts connected by linkage so that blows can be imparted to the valve to free it when stuck, such linkage permitting some misalignment of the rod parts when necessary without interfering with the operation of the valve. The valve can be quickly installed by merely welding a few parts in place near the cleanout opening in the tank.

In order to illustrate the invention and the manner of its use, one concrete embodiment thereof is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View of the inside of a tank or the like, the bottom of which is shown in vertical section, the view showing a typical installation, the gate valve assembly appearing in front elevation with the valve in closed and sealed position over the cleanout opening in the wall of the tank;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 showing the operating mechanism for the valve in elevation;

Figure 3 is a partial horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the broken line 3--3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a detailed horizontal sectional view on the scale of Figure 3 and taken on the line i-t of Figure 1.

In the drawings A indicates the side or end wall of a tank and B the bottom of the tank. A cleanout opening C has been made in the lower part of wall A. Opening C is shown as rectangular but it may be round, oval, or of any desired shape. Surrounding opening C is a rectangular ring 5, welded or otherwise secured to wall A in a fluid tight manner.

A guide frame B seats over ring 5 and has a rectangular groove 'l of slightly larger section than ring 5 to receive the projecting portion of the latter against a packing 8 seated in the groove. Frame 6 has a thick packing 9 on its outer face conforming in general dimensions to packing 8. Both packings 8 and 9 are formed of synthetic rubber or other suitable material which will make a fluid tight seal and which is not adversely affected by the uids or the solids with which the packings will be in contact. Packing 9 is by preference bonded to frame 5. Attached to the lower part of frame 5 at its sides, as by welding, are guide brackets I5 extending beyond and in spaced relation to packing Q. In addition, brackets IQ have supporting brackets II welded thereto which engage wall A and are secured thereto by nuts I2 on the threaded ends of studs I3 extending through holes therefor in brackets II, heads Ici of studs I3 being welded to wall A as indicated in Figure 3. As nuts 'I2 are tightened when mounting ramell is in place, frame 6 is forced over ring 5 to causepacking 8 to be compressed and make a fluid tight seal between frame 5 and ring 5. o

Mounted upon frame 5 so as to have a loose t between packing 9 and guide rails or brackets I is slidably mounted agate vvalve I5 of a size and shape to close and sealopening C. Movement of valve i is eiecte'd by a rod I1 which extends through an opening in bracket I8 attached to the upper portion of frame t (Figures l and 2) and through and beyond spaced brackets I9 and 20. The openings in brackets I9 and 20 (see broken'outline in Figure 3) are large to allow side movement of rod il, these By rotating rod I1 in either direction to bring either projection and its flat 2M into contact with valve I6 (as in Figures l, 2 and 3), valve I5 is forced by the cam laterally into sealing contact with packing 9 on frame 6 so as to close and seal the lower portion of frame 5 and opening C, since rod I1 is rigidly held byrbrackets .I8 and 22 on frame 6 against movement away from frame 5.

By rotating rod I1 to 'bringja low projection tof cam 2| oppositefram'el there is no contact between cam 2| and valve I6, and the latter is loose in guide brackets II). Lifting rod I1 will then bring cam'2l againststop bracket I9 and the valve can be raised vto open position.

Rod I1 hasan extension 21 provided with a vhandle v28, the tworod sections being connected by links and 32. Extension 21 is slidable ,vertically through anopening'in'a guide bracket 3|, welded or otherwise attached to wall A above bracket I8 on frame 6. Exact alignmentof rod parts I1 and 21 is not required by reason of the linkage connection at 29, 3i). The relative vertical movement permitted bythe linkage 29, 3|] as well as by the Ispacing between cam 2I'and stop brackets I9 and 20 enables an operatorl to impart blows to valve I6 to dislodge it when stuck. A slot 32 inbracket 3| provides passage of a key 33 on rod 21 to pass through and above the bracket whereupon a slight rotation will cause the iiat of the keyto restupon the bracket and hold valve I6v in open position. Reverse rotation of rod 21 to bring key 33 in line with yslot 32 will permit valve I6 to be lowered to ment. Ring 5 is rst' welded around the'cleanoutopening C. If there is no such opening, ring 5 is welded in place at the desired location and then opening C is cut out with a cutting torch. Ring 5 seating in groove 1 in frame G entirely around opening C makes a very secure mounting for frame 6 and thus relieves studs I3 of much of the strain of supporting the valve assembly. After studs I3 have been positioned and welded in place, frame 5 can be placed over opening C and nuts I2 tightened to establish 4frame 6 in uid tight engagement with the wall A of the tank around opening C. There remains only bracket 3| to be welded in place. It is secured to wall A above the center of frame 6 but exact alignment is not requisite to proper functioning lby reason ofthe linkage connection 29, 3|) between operating rod sections |1 and 21 which provides a loose flexible operation.

lFrom the above it will be apparent that the cleanout valve assembly of the present invention is of simple construction which can be operated and actuated under adversefconditions without fouling of the operating parts.4 Once the valve has been closed and 'laterally vmoved to sealing position over the clfeanout opening, vit will maintain such seal indeiinitely but due to its loose mounting in guide brackets I'Il it vcan be quickly loosened if struck by blows 'imparted thereto by contracting and extending links 2S and 3i) after handleZB has been turnedto rotate cam 2| out of locking position with its flat `2I'a out of contact with gate 'valve lt'. YLight blows can also be appliedto valve 6 from the exterior lof the tank through opening C, 'if needed, to break its sealing contact of valve I5 with packing ring 9,V after rod I1 hasw'oeen raised ysuiiciently to free its lower end lfr omkeeper bracket 22. The loose mountingof valve'permits it to be easily raised and lowered inaloo'se free manner. The tightening or sealing'of the valve in closed position by rotatingrod 'I1 to bring cam `2| into action is accomplished withlittle eifortand has a considerable mechanical advantage since it utilizes the inherent flexibility, of valve 6 and rod I1. Economy of installation is lapparent from the fact that the maximum requirement involves the welding of two studs, a'bracket and a rectangular or other shaped mounting ring to'the tank and the cutting of the cl'eanout hole within the mounting ring.

While the invention has been'lierein disclosed in what is now considered to bea preferred form, it is to be understood'that the invention is not limited to the specincdetails thereof but covers au changes, modifications, 'and adaptations within the scope of th'eapp'ended claims.

I claim: A

1. The combination Awith the'wall of Vatank, vat or the like havingvan opening therethrough for cleanout purposes and a ring welded around the edge of said opening, of 'a valve assembly comprising a frame having on one side a groove to receive said ring and packing in saidrgroove to be compressed by said ring, means for securing said frame to saidwall, a packing on the other side of said'frame around said opening, guide brackets on said frame extending beyond said last namedy packing, a gate valve on V'said frame loosely and slidably'mounted between-said guide brackets and said last named packing-and manually operable means formoving said valve on said frame and'for forcingV it laterallywhen 1n closed position against said' last named-packing to seal said opening.,

2. The combination with'the wall of an tank, vat or the like having anopening' therethrough for cleanout purposes, of a valve assembly there-1 for comprising `a frame, means securing said frame in a fluid tight manner around said opening, guide brackets on said frame, a gate valve slidable on said frame in said guide brackets and having a loose t therewith, a packing on said frame around said opening to be engaged by said valve, a rod for operating said valve, a guide bracket for said rod at the upper end of said frame, a retainer on the lower end of said frame to receive the end of said rod when said valve is over said opening, spaced guide and stop members on said valve having openings loosely receiving said rod, and a cam element ilxed to said rod between saidY members for raising and lowering said valve, for forcing the latter laterally when in closed position to engage said packing to seal said opening, and for lockingsaid valve in sealing position over said opening.

3. rlhe combination with the wall of a tank, vat or the like having an opening therethrough for cleanout purposes, of a valve assembly therefor comprising a frame, means securing said frame in a iluid tight manner around said opening, guide brackets on said frame, a gate valve slidable on said frame in said guide brackets and having a loose fit therewith, a packing on said frame around said opening to be engaged by said valve, a rod for operating said valve, a guide bracket for said rod at the upper end of said frame, a retainer on the lower end of said frame to receive the end of said rod when said valve is over said opening, spaced guide and sto-p members on said valve having openings loosely receiving said rod, a cam element fixed to said rod between said members for raising and lowering said valve, for forcing the latter laterally when in closed position to engage said packing to seal said opening, and for locking said valve in sealing position over said opening, a handle extension for said rod, linkage between said rod and said extension whereby blows may be imparted to said valve to loosen the same when stuck, a bracket on the wall of the tank slidably receiving said handle extension, and key and slot means on said extension and on said last named bracket by which said valve may be releasably held in open position.

4:. The combination with the wall of a tank, vat or the like having an opening therethrough for cleanout purposes, of a valve assembly therefor comprising a frame, means securing said frame in a fluid tight manner around said opening, guide brackets on said frame, a gate valve slidable on said frame in said guide brackets and having a loose iit therewith, a packing on said frame around said opening to be engaged by said valve, a rod for operating said valve, a guide bracket lor said rod at the upper end of said frame, a retainer on the lower end of said frame to receive the end of said rod when said valve is over said opening, spaced guide and stop members on said valve having openings loosely receiving said rod, a cam element xed to said rod between said members for raising and lowering said valve, for forcing the latter laterally when in closed position to engage said packing to seal said opening, and for locking said valve in sealing position over said opening, a handle extension for said rod axially alined therewith, and jar means interconnecting said rod and handle extension operable by said handle extension to deliver light blows to said valve through said rod to aid in loosening said valve when stuck.

5s AV valve assembly for closingl a cleanout opening in the wall of a tank, vat or the like, comprising a guide frame, means for securing said guide frame toy said wall around said cleanout opening, a gate valve slidably but loosely mounted on said frame for movement parallel to said frame into and out of alinement with said opening and also laterally toward and from said frame, an axially and rotatably movable rod outside and parallel with the plane of said gate valve operatively connected with said valve for moving said valve into and out of alinement with said opening by axial movement, means iixed relative to said'irame for axially and rotatably guiding said rod, a handle extension for said rod, jar means interconnecting said rod and said handle extension operable by said handle extension to impart blows to said valve to loosen the same, and a rigidly mounted cam on said rod engageable with said valve for forcing said valve laterally against said frame when said rod is rotated.

-6. The subject matter of claim 5, wherein said jar means comprises a pair of interlinked links, one connected to the end of the rod, and the other to the end of said handle extension.

'7. A valve assembly for closing a cleanout opening in the wall of a tank, vat or the like, comprising a guide frame, means for securing said guide frame to said wall around said cleanout opening, a gate valve slidably but loosely mounted on said frame for movement parallel to said frame into and out of alinement with said opening and also laterally toward and from said frame, an axially and rotatably movable rod outside and parallel with the plane of said gate valve operatively connected with said valve for moving. said valve into and out of alinement with said; opening by axial movement of the rod, means. fixed relative to said frame for axially and rotatably guiding said r-od, and a cam rigidly mounted on said rod for forcing said valve laterally against,

said frame when said rod is rotated.

ing in the wall of a tank, vat or the like, com-- prising a guide frame, means for securing said guide frame to said wall around said cleanout; opening, a gate valve slidably but loosely mounteda on said frame for movement parallel to said frames into and out of alinement with said opening andi also laterally toward and from said frame, an'A axially movable rod outside of and parallel with. the plane of said gate valve, means fixed relative-l to said frame for axially guiding and positioning said rod, spaced guide and stop members on said gate valve having guide openings receiving said rod for axial movement, and a cam on said rod between said spaced guide and stop members for forcing said valve laterally against said frame when said rod is rotated.

9. A cleanout valve assembly for tanks, vats and the like comprising a guide frame, packings on opposite sides of said frame, means for securing said frame around an opening in the wall of a tank, a gate valve slidably but loosely mounted on said frame for movement over or away from said opening, an axially movable rod and means through which said rod is engageable with said valve for moving said valve, means supporting said rod for axial movement for rotation on its longitudinal axis, a handle extension for said rod, a pair of interlinked loops, one on said handle extension and one on said rod through which blows may be imparted from said handle extension to said valve to loosen the same and through1whichrotative:movementmaybe transmitted from the handle extensiontossaid. rod, and a cam rigidly mounted on said rody and engageable with said valveby, rotationA of said rod for forcing said valve-laterally against said frame for sealing said opening.

10. A cleanout valve assembly for tanks, vats and the like comprising :afguide frame,zpackings on'opposite sides of `said frame, means for securing said frame around anopening the Wall `of a tank, a gate valve slidablyf-but loosely mounted on said frame for movement over or away. from said opening, an axiallymovable rod and means through which said -rod is engageable with said valve for moving said valve, meansgsupporting said rod for axial movement and for rotation on the longitudinal axis, a handle-extension for said rod, a pair of `interlinked loops one on said handle extension and one onsaid rod through which blows may -be Y imparted 4from said handlev extensionto said valve to loosen the same and through which rotative movement may be transmitted from'thehandleextension to said rod, a cam 8 rigidly mounted` on said rod and engageable with said Valve by rotation of said rod for forcing saidxvalve laterally against said frame for sealing said opening, a bracket for supporting said handle extension having a slot, and a key on said handle extension to pass through said slot in said'supporting bracket whereby said valvefcan be releasably locked in open position.

GUY M. BEATTY.

References Cited inthe le of this-patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name y Date 461,187 Giesler Oct. 1 3, 1891 596,138 Blanchard Dec. 28, 1897 1,069,174' Putzel et al. Aug. 5, 1913 1,709,915 Morris Apr. 23, 1929 1,795,016 Faber Mar. 3, 1931 1,801,934 Pearson Apr. 21, 1931 2,330,220 Kemper Sept. 28, 1943 2,481,076 Bryant Sept. 6, 1949 

